Police Identify Man Arrested in Ashkenaz Shooting

Police have identified a man arrested in connection with the March 16 robbery and shooting at Ashkenaz Music and Dance Community as Christopher James Washington, 25, of Rodeo, a Berkeley Police Department spokesperson said Tuesday evening.

Washington is being charged with robbery, attempted murder and two other counts — discharging a firearm during the commission of a felony causing great bodily injury and  discharging a firearm during the commission of a felony, said Officer Jennifer Coats, the BPD's public information officer.

Coats said police will not release Washington's booking photo because it could "jeopardize the overall investigation."

Detectives are still actively following up leads in the case, she said.

Washington is one of two men suspected of robbing Ashkenaz, located at 1317 San Pablo Ave., Berkeley, shortly after midnight on Saturday, March 16. The armed pair entered the crowded building, demanded cash from employees and shot Larry Chin, the managing director of Ashkenaz, and another employee.

Police officers aided by a K-9 officer from the Alameda County Sheriff's Office captured Washington Saturday morning behind a building in the 1300 block of San Pablo Avenue. A second suspect remains at large.

Chin, who was shot in the head, was scheduled to be released from the hospital on Monday, according to an Ashkenaz spokesman. The second employee, who was shot in the arm, is expected to recover fully.